A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that it wouldn’t “make sense” to keep spending huge sums of money on importation of food when Nigeria has arable land that can grow food locally.
He added that foreign exchange constraints had greatly affected importation.
Osinbajo made the submission while receiving in his office at the presidential Villa, a Russian delegation led by the Russian Minister of Agriculture who was also the Co-Chair of the Nigeria-Russia Joint Commission, Mr. Alexander Tkachev.
“The oil prices have gone down tremendously and yet large amount of foreign exchange is used to purchase food abroad and we have large arable land for agric. It won't make sense, if you don’t use the land," the vice president said.Osinbajo
Osinbajo also invited Russian farmers to invest in Nigeria, produce and import from here, saying "we are just 6 hours away from Europe by air. Vegetables, flour can be exported to Europe from here, even our local market here is a lot."
Both the Vice President and the delegation that included the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, Ambassador Nikolay Udovichenko, Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Evgeny Gromyko and officials of Russian's firm-United Company (Rusal) agreed that Nigeria and Russia should deepen the existing diplomatic relationship, especially economically.
According to Osinbajo "there is a lot of money to be made if Russian technology in agriculture is deployed locally," adding that there are better opportunities for economic cooperation between both countries.
Speaking earlier, the Russian Agriculture Minister expressed his country's willingness to enhance the existing trade relations with Nigeria.
He observed that the Nigeria-Russia trade volume as at the end of 2015 exceeded $300 million, but added that there are potentials for improvement in the years ahead.
Cross section of Nigerians social media users, Thursday, set the Micro-blogging site, Twitter abuzz, reacting to the purported order, the House of Representatives gave to Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to arrest operators and promoters of the internet-based wonder bank, otherwise known as "MMM Nigeria Scheme."
While some social media users lauded the move, saying it was a right step in the right direction to save Nigerians from being scammed of their hard-earned money, many others lambasted members of the Green Chamber, arguing that MMMNigeria was real, truly pays and not a Ponzi Scheme.
The Federal Civil service under the presidency has extended the period for application, completion, corrections and submission of form on it site to the 13th of November, 2016.
The FCSC advised applicants who have submitted their applications to login and click "My Portal" menu, select "My Application(s)" to review their application(s) in the portal.
Its also advised applicants to review the list, delete duplicate applications, and make sure their final application(s) is filled out completely, correctly and accurately, before 13th of November, 2016. https://vacancy.fedcivilservice.gov.ng/
FCSC warned that all applications will be processed electronically, as any error or omission could affect applicants chances of getting to the next stage of the recruitment process as completion and submission of application processes are part of the candidate's selection process.
The management of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Thursday unveiled Coach Fatai Amao as the club's new coach for Nigeria Professional Football League 2016/2017 season.
Amao was unveiled at the office of the Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Yomi Oke in Ibadan, where he signed a two-year deal.
NAN reports that Amao, the Nigeria Olympic Team's Assistant Coach, has just finished his CAF A Licence coaching course in Abuja.
Amao, former 3SC coach from 2009 to 2011, was expected to commence work immediately.
He later told newsmen that he was excited to return home and promised to place integrity and hard work as priority before money.
He assured that he would work to make the team great again.
"I am very excited to be appointed as Technical Adviser of 3SC. I don't really have fear because I am back home. I feel very comfortable being in Ibadan.
"I'm ready to work with my coaching crew, whom I believe are very good people. We have very cordial relationship and I believe our re-union will bring the best for the club. We know each other very well and I believe we will get things right.
"I want to make name for myself and 3SC. I have travelled a little bit and wherever I go, people always ask for Shooting Stars and Rangers and that tells you 3SC is a big club and we must make it great again.
"I am ready to take up the task and by the grace of God, we will conquer."
The Oyo State commissioner for youths and sports said he was pleased with the presentation of coach Amao.
He explained that "Amao has signed two years deal with us and we are very happy. On our side, the welfare of the team will be paramount."
On his part, Mr Rasheed Balogun, the General Manager of the club, said the club went for the right person who understood its workings well.
Amao would succeed Coach Gbenga Ogunbote who saved the team from relegation in the last NPFL season.
Ogunbote was reported to have signed a new coaching deal with Enyimba International Football Club of Aba.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been ruled out injured and will be replaced by Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas for Spain’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in Granada on Saturday.
“Aspas will join the group in the place of Diego Costa, sidelined through injury,” the Spanish football federation said on Twitter.
Diego Costa
Costa, 28, has not trained with the group for a few days as he struggles with a groin problem.
Spain, top of Group G ahead of Italy, are also preparing for a friendly against England at Wembley on Tuesday.
The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, on Thursday said the anti-graft agency had secured 187 convictions in the last one year.
Magu disclosed this at a one-day symposium on money laundering organised by the Faculty of Management Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU) in Lagos.
In a lecture, Magu reiterated his popular assertion that corruption is a crime against humanity, and renewed his call on all Nigerians to join the fight against the menace.
Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, reported the event in a statement in Abuja.
He implored Nigerians to work together with the EFCC in bringing about lasting change and securing the prosperity of the next generation.
"This seminar is dear to me and the EFCC because it is taking place in a school and among young people who are carrying upon their shoulders the hopes of family members and Nigeria as a country.
"More so, it is happening right in the Centre of Excellence. Any good seed planted in this place, in the course of this seminar, cannot die," Magu said.
EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu
He commended the courage of the President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Prof. Olusegun Ajibola, who presented a paper titled: "Money Laundering: Bankers Perspectives".
In his presentation, Ajibola accused some banks of complicity in the act of money laundering over the years, a statement the EFCC boss agreed with.
Magu expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with the "future leaders of Nigeria on a subject that affects not only our today but one that could also impact their tomorrow''.
Ajibola advocated improved technology in checking corruption as well as enhancing synergy between the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies.
The Vice Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, thanked the EFCC acting chairman for his presence, saying the institution was proud of his service at the commission.
Fagbohun said he was confident that the commission would surmount the numerous challenges facing it.
"As long as money laundering and corruption exist, they poison the system. It is destructive of the system.
"We must start doing things right if we want the nation to move forward,'' he said.
The one-day event had as its theme: "Money Laundering And Its Impact On The Nigerian Economy: The Way Forward".
It saw various speakers interrogating the vexed issue of money laundering while also proffering solutions to the corruption scourge.
Barack Obama and his successor Donald Trump held a 90-minute transition meeting in the Oval Office Thursday, with the outgoing president vowing his support after an “excellent conversation.”
Obama pledged his administration would “do everything we can to help you succeed, because if you succeed, then the country succeeds.”US President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump shake hands during a transition planning meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on November 10, 2016 in Washington,DC.
Trump said the pair “discussed a lot of different situations — some wonderful and some difficulties,” and said he looked forward to receiving Obama’s counsel.
The two men ended the historic White House encounter with a handshake and refused to take questions
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Thursday warned GSM telephone service providers against short-changing their customers.
Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, Director, NCC Consumers Affairs Bureau, Abuja, issued the warning in Bauchi while delivering a speech at the 80th edition of Consumer Outreach Programme, organised by the commission.
Maikano, represented by Ismail Adebeba, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs of the commission, said that it was the responsibility of the commission to protect customers from exploitation and other sharp practices by service providers.
He said that the commission initiated the customer outreach programme to educate consumers and receive feedback on their grievances against service providers for redress.
He urged providers to disseminate information to consumers in plain and simple languages, adding that such information must be relevant, current, accurate and timely.
Alhaji Sani Garba, an official of one of the GSM Service providers in Bauchi, told the gathering that his company had 200 Retailed Touch Points and 100 others, being managed in the state.
He also said that the company had of recent initiated Mobile Points of Sales (MPoS) at the company's Out Touch Points being managed by trained staff to further educate consumers.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most of the customers who attended the forum complained of unnecessary deductions for services not rendered and deduction money in the name of debts they were not aware of.
Other complaints included the imposition of unsolicited caller tunes, music and other services, as well as inundating them with text messages during odd hours, particularly at midnight.
No fewer than 1,000 customers from all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state and service providers attended the one day forum.
Representatives of MTN, ETISALAT, GLO and AIRTEL responded to some issues raised by both consumers and officials of the commission.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the contribution of Pope Francis and the Holy See to global peace, describing it as “active and relentless.”
Speaking while receiving Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Apostolic Nuncio (Ambassador of the Holy See) in a farewell visit at State House, Abuja, Thursday, the President said the effort of the Pope for peace, especially in Syria, was inspiring and impressive.
“Please convey our gratitude to the Pope. We thank the Vatican for supporting Nigeria’s efforts. You have spent over six years here. We hope you will keep in touch," President Buhari said.President Muhammadu Buhari receives the out going Ambassador of Holy SEE, H.E Archbishop Nasujja Apostolic Nuncio accompanied by Holy See (Vatican) Embassy, Msgr Javier Fernandez at the State House in Abuja.
Archbishop Kasujja extolled what he called “the courage of Nigerians,” especially as exhibited by the unbowed heads of people in the North-east, despite the devastation visited on them by years of insurgency.
He added that he visited all parts of the country in his almost seven years' stay.
"If you permit me, I will love to be an ambassador of Nigeria wherever I go,” he declared.
The Apostolic Nuncio said he found Nigeria fascinating, and his tour of duty quite fulfilling and rewarding.
Seventeen out of 493 graduating students of Lead City University, Ibadan, emerged in the first class category at the institution's ninth convocation ceremony on Thursday.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi Onabajo, who disclosed this at the ceremony, also said 118 emerged in the 2nd Class Upper category while 242 had second class lower division.
He said another 82 had third class while two had pass degree.
The vice chancellor said the university's programmes had increased to 39 from its initial 12, cutting across five faculties and the School of Postgraduate Studies on full time mode.
He added that eight undergraduate programmes were also on part-time mode.
Onabajo said that the university would continue to remain focused on research and development.
The university, he said, had introduced Information Communication Technology into every programme of the university to ensure graduates were more competitive in the employment market.
He urged the graduands to use the skills acquired from the institution to generate employment and also become employers of labour.
"We have instilled in you courage and boldness. You have been taught never to be overwhelmed by any situation, no matter how intimidating it appears, " he said.
In his remarks the Chancellor of the university, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola, urged the graduands to continue to support the growth of the nation and mankind.
"There is hope in each and every one of you and about Nigeria despite all of our many challenges.
"It is on the solid strength of your character and a high sense of responsibility that Nigeria will progress and become a prosperous and developed nation, " he said.
An award of honorary degree of Performing Arts was conferred on Chief Adeniyi Adegeye, also known as King Sunny Ade, while Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, an independent scholar, bagged another honorary degree.
Abuja – Prof. Park Idisi, a Lecturer, Department of Agriculture, University of Abuja, said naira appreciation against the dollar had nothing to do with Donald Trump's victory.
Idisi said on Thursday in Abuja that the speculation going round that Trump's victory strengthened the naira should be discarded.
According to him, naira is appreciating due to OPEC efforts to stabilise crude oil prices and raise output which is in favour of Nigeria.
"Nigeria is earning more hard currencies now because the sale of crude oil and output is increasing every day, naira has been appreciating before Trump's victory that just happened yesterday,'' he said.
NAN reports that OPEC warned in a new report that oil prices might not rise above 60 dollars per barrel until the end of the decade.
It is an acknowledgement that an array of bearish forces would conspire to keep a lid on any price rally.
OPEC's new World Oil Outlook (WOO) offers medium and long-term predictions for the oil market. OPEC's Reference Basket (ORB) price would average 40 dollars per barrel this year.
The group projects that the price would rise by five dollars per barrel each year through the rest of the decade; that only takes ORB prices up to 60 dollara per barrel in 2020.
He also said that government policy of not giving Forex to importers contributed to naira appreciating.
"Currently, Nigerian importers are not importing rice, cement and other items since Federal Government stopped issuing Forex and the importers refused to use their hard currency too.''
According to him, Trump's policy may favour Nigeria when he assumes office, saying that the quantity of crude oil U.S. was buying from Nigeria under OPEC arrangement woud not change.
He said speculation about Trump's administration repatriating Nigerians living in U.S. should be discarded, saying only illegal migrants would be affected.
Maverick activist, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, on Thursday, urged that corruption should be made a treasonable offence for it to be adequately tackled.
He made the call during a news conference put together by the "Occupy Unlimited" group, a civil society group that advocates good governance and corruption-free society.
Charly Boy, who is the National Coordinator of the group, said "corrupt leadership has been killing ordinary Nigerians slowly and steadily over the years.
"It is time to properly define it as 'murder in disguise', and treat as treasonable offence against our dear country.
"Over 180 million people are surviving at the mercy of few politicians who have mastered the art of creating division among her own people through religion, ethnicity, corruption, and frivolous issues."
According to the social activist, death penalty should be introduced for all politically-corrupt persons in Nigeria if the nation really wants to be lifted out of economic hardship.
He noted that countries such as China and Pakistan were striving better because they decided to make corruption a crime that deserved capital punishment.
He advised that the immunity clause in the Nigerian constitution be reviewed, adding that "corruption is hiding under the immunity clause to loot and plunder."
*Charly Boy
Charly Boy explained that the Occupy Unlimited Group will on Nov. 15 stage a peaceful protest in the Federal Capital Territory against corruption.
He emphasised that the protest was to tell political leaders at all levels that they must be accountable and selfless in their service to the fatherland.
"This is a process of holding politicians accountable not only to their promises, but in their service to the Nigerian nation.
"The mass protest will begin at the Unity Fountain in Abuja down to the National Assembly.
"We are a coalition of ordinary Nigerians from different parts of the country, with no political affiliations; we believe in the interest of our country.
"We also believe strongly in the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari."
Mr Retson Tedheke, a co-convener of the conference, said the group was also advocating for unicameral legislature for Nigeria to reduce cost of governance.
He noted that Nigeria's democracy was one of the most expensive in the world, adding that this was no longer sustainable in the midst of economic recession that brought hunger in the land.
"Lawmakers must begin a process of reducing the Bi-Cameral Legislature to Uni-Cameral Legislature.
"Let them initiate the process of a referendum to review the Constitution, specifically with the aim of Scrapping the Senate.
"We also demand that the Anti-Money Laundry Bill be debated and passed immediately, with full support to the President to ensure that corruption is eliminated from our country."
Tedheke added that it was also imperative for legislators to ensure that their budget, running cost and other expenditures be made open to the public.
He stressed the need for transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of Federal Government expenditure, the NASS and all agencies of government to ensure that everything went to the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
"We need all Nigerians to give their voice in this call to have a national rebirth.
"Every Nigerian will not be on the street of the FCT, but let us all support this initiative, irrespective of tribal and religious divide."
The Gambia’s controversial leader Yahya Jammeh on Thursday submitted his candidacy to seek a fifth term in December’s presidential election, saying he would listen only to God for guidance in governing.
Jammeh, 51, took power in a bloodless coup in 1994 and has run the country with an iron fist ever since, surviving successive coup attempts by consolidating his power at every level of society.
After submitting the required documentation to the electoral commission, Jammeh told its chairman: “No matter what people say about me, I am not moved… I don’t listen to anybody because I know what is important.
“It is between me and God Almighty.”
Yahya Jammeh
He had harsh words for his critics, or even putative advisors, adding: “You want to listen to everybody and satisfy everybody, you will end up satisfying the evil people.
“Do what is right. Make sure you satisfy the Almighty Allah.”
The president went on to present a policy platform of free education and healthcare for all, adding that his government believed especially in empowering women.
The Gambia has made great progress in the last 20 years in improving literacy and child mortality rates, and the president has in the last year banned child marriage and female genital mutilation.
But his record on civil liberties is less impressive: he has promised to bury critics “nine feet deep” and told the UN Secretary-General to “go to hell” after Ban Ki-moon called for an investigation into an activist’s death in custody.
Intimidation of opposition parties, media repression and politicised security forces have “all but extinguished” the chance of a free and fair election in the Gambia, Human Rights Watch said in a report this month.
Jammeh has attracted worldwide attention for declaring the Gambia an Islamic state, withdrawing the country from the International Criminal Court, and claiming he had concocted a herbal cure for HIV/AIDS.
Gambian opposition parties have decided to join forces to field a single candidate, Adama Barrow, to take on Jammeh on December 1.
The only other candidate is a former ruling party MP, Mama Kandeh, who has been accused of being used to split opposition votes.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has appealed to the Ghanaian parliament to review the 120 dollars Residency Fee imposed on Nigerians living in the country.
A statement by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Mr Chuks Okocha, in Abuja said that Saraki made the appeal while he received some parliamentarians from Ghana in his office on Thursday.
"I am appealing to you my colleagues in the parliament in Ghana on the recent laws passed on Nigerians to pay a residency fee of 120 dollars.
"I am appealing that you review this law and take a second look at it as things are hard. This recession is biting hard," he said.
Early this year, Ghana Government introduced residency fee of 120 dollars to be paid by Nigerians and other nationals who stayed in the country for a total of 90 days or more in a given year.
Saraki
They are required by the law to register for Non-citizen Ghana card at the cost of 120 dollars (about N19, 000).
Saraki commended the Ghanaian Parliament for supporting Nigeria to emerge as the Vice President for the West African Region in the just-concluded Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference in Geneva.
He assured that the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS) would assist Ghanaian lawmakers where necessary, explaining that it was for such purpose that the institute was established.
He said that the institute had been very instrumental in propagating the ideals of legislative enhancement, "especially in enhancing the economic agenda of the National Assembly to bring Nigeria out of current economic recession''.
Earlier, Leader of the delegation, Mr Alfred Agbesi, had said that the lawmakers were in Nigeria to seek the help of NILS in legislative drafting for in-coming lawmakers in the Ghanaian legislature.
Agbesi, who is the Deputy Leader of the Ghanaian Parliament, described NILS as one of the main pillars to advance democracy in Ghana, and pledged to ensure the enhancement of relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has threatened that the Senate will take up the case against any ministry, department or agency of government that is violating the Public Procurement law which compels them to give preference to locally produced goods in Nigeria.
Senator Saraki
He also charged Senate Committee Chairmen to ensure in the course of their oversight duties that MDAs comply with the provision of the law on patronage of local manufacturers as he also urged all military and para-military agencies to emulate the Army by procuring items like booths and other needs locally.
Dr. Saraki spoke Thursday in Abuja when members of the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Abia State (LEAPMAAS) visited him to express appreciation for the constant support he and the Senate have given to the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.
While responding to the welcome address by the co-ordinator of the Association, Chief Ben Hart, Saraki said the government spends more than N2 Trillion annually in the purchase of goods, and that the aim of the Senate is to ensure that a large chunk of the funds go into the pocket of Nigerian manufacturers.
He advised local manufacturers to petition the Senate where they feel a government agency is deliberating denying them the opportunity to sell their goods as he said the law making institution was ready to take up such cases.
His words: “I commend you for your determination and creativity. When I came for your trade fair in Abuja earlier in the year, I promised you that with the support of my colleagues here in the Senate, we will make the campaign to buy Made in Nigeria go beyond a trade fair and become a national agenda for all Nigerians. Today, we have made it a national project. I also promised you that we will amend the existing law to give your efforts a solid legal backing that will ensure patronage for your products and that of other local manufacturers. That has also been done with the amendment of the Public Procurement Act.
“I have a promise from the House of Representatives that they will soon pass the same law. Government agencies must necessarily and compulsorily patronise locally made goods. It has started with order made for booths by the Army. If the Army are doing that, I also challenge all the other agencies to follow suit. I challenge all the Senate committee chairmen here to ensure that all the other agencies, whether it is Air force, Navy, Customs, even the Road Safety, Civil Defence, NYSC must follow suit. We should include that as part of the conditions when they come to defend their 2017 budget. They must show evidence that they patronise and purchase locally made goods.
“I commend your persistence such that over the years you have been there, giving your support to the growth of the economy government. With little or no assistance, you continued to demonstrate that you have the capacity to produce different high quality goods for the use of Nigerians.
“This is a very big agenda that we are promoting. I want to thank my colleagues and let me remind you that we have kept our promises, so you should not disappoint us. You must improve on the quality of the goods. You must deliver the orders made on time as agreed with clients. If you look at the budget of all these agencies, it is enough for you to increase your production and that will make Nigeria to take over the market in some of the West African region.
“On our own part, this is an agenda we believe in, we will continue to support you”, the Senate President re-assured the Aba based manufacturers while adding that one of the major panacea for the present economic recession in the country is to encourage locally manufactured goods to save foreign exchange, generate employment and increase the nation’s gross domestic product.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Hart said that they were at the National Assembly to commend the Senate President, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe and other Senators for their support in promoting the Made in Aba goods.
He said, “we are here to express our gratitude for your support and show appreciation on this Made in Nigeria Project. Today, we confer on you the title of the Ambassador of Made in Aba goods. We also commend Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and the entire Senate for supporting the passage of the amendment to the Public Procurement Act. By this singular action, you and the Senate have institutionalized the Buy Made in Nigeria campaign.
“We commend you for your tireless propagation and advocacy for Made in Aba goods. We use this opportunity to assure you and the Senate that we shall continue to improve on the quality of Made in Aba and indeed Made in Nigeria goods. Goods produced in Aba are indeed of high quality. There is nothing that can be manufactured elsewhere which cannot be produced in Aba.”
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode arraigned for allegedly receiving N26 million from the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
UYO- Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr has raised the hope for the future saying, he would build the team in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifying match against Algeria around captain Mikel Obi, despite not featuring currently for his Chelsea club in Europe.
Rohr said this at a press conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, that Mikel has recuperated and he is fit for tomorrow's match blaming his woes in Chelsea on his outing for the Nigerian Dream Team at the last Olympics in Brazil where the team won bronze medal.
“Mikel is currently being punished in his Club side, Chelsea, because of his last outing for the Nigerian Dream Team at the last Olympics in Brazil, where the team won bronze medal.
''He has not been featured for the team under the new coach, Conte, since then. But I will still build the Super Eagles' team playing in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifying match against the Desert Warriors of Algeria around him because he is in good shape and fit for the match. Besides, Mikel is committed to the national team and he is a source of motivation to the other players,” he said.
While predicting a good win by Super Eagles he maintained that, the Algerian team is not a push over but, urged Nigerians to support the team by cheering them to victory.
Also, the captain, Mikel Obi said, he would not allow his present predicament in Chelsea to affect his spirit and readiness for the match against Algeria since a win will boost the team’s chance of getting the ticket from the group.
He said although there have been some cases of injury in the team, it would not affect the team, pointing out that Algeria also have few cases of injuries on their part.
Mikel assured Nigerians that, Super Eagles will clinch the three points at stake, though it might not be easy but wining is a possibility and necessity.
The Australian High Commission in Abuja, in partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, is hosting a policy and capacity building workshop on the mining sector, in Abuja. The two-day workshop billed for November 14-15, 2016, will provide information on leading practice from Western Australia on building a sustainable mining sector.
The aim of the workshop is to build the Nigerian Solid Mineral sector's capacity to deliver enhanced mineral exploration and mining regimes and promote ongoing education and training in mineral policy governance. It will also foster partnerships for knowledge sharing and skills transfer to ensure leading practice in Nigeria.
Minister of solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi with Australian High Commissioner, Paul Lehmann.
The workshop will be facilitated by two senior officials from the Western Australian Government Department of Mines and Petroleum. Speakers at the workshop will include representatives from the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
A statement by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, HE Paul Lehmann said: "Australia is one of the world’s leading mineral resources nations. We are the world’s largest refiner of bauxite, fourth largest producer of primary aluminium, the largest producer of gem and industrial diamonds, lead and tantalum, and the mineral sands rutile and zircon; and the third largest producer of gold and iron ore. As such, we have a wealth of knowledge to share with Nigeria to assist its economic diversification drive. We are delighted to be able to host this workshop in close partnership with the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development."
The workshop program will also include an evening reception hosted by the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria. Senior officials from the Nigerian Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be in attendance alongside other mining Alumni, as well as the media.
Security agencies in Kaduna have arrested 22 suspects for vandalizing and stealing solar street lights installed by the Kaduna State Government. Samuel Aruwan,Spokesman to Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai disclosed on Wednesday that 19 out of the 22 suspects have been charged to court.
Aruwan, further reiterated the state government's commitment to prosecute anyone found vandalizing or stealing public properties, he stated that,"…security operatives have arrested 22 suspects for vandalizing and stealing of Solar StreetLights. Scrap Iron Scavengers fixed by the state government. Others in the net are buyers of the stolen properties within the metropolis.
"After careful combing of the crime scene, Solar Batteries and their covers and one iron saw were recovered inside the Cemetery along Bashama Road, Tudun Wada area of the metropolis.
"The operation which lasted for two days raided all Scrap Iron Vendors, Roadside Solar Battery Sellers mentioned in the deal. Items recovered during the raids include Solar Panels, Armored Cables, Vehicle spare parts and Textile materials suspected to have been stolen were recovered from the suspects.
Those arrested are ; Nazif Mohammed, Aminu Isa, Yusuf Tukur, Imrana Yusuf, Ibrahim Ahmed, Shamsudeen Jibrin, Sani Idris, Abdullahi Bashir and Ahmed Sani. Others are: Adamu Najib, Annas Mohammed, Abubakar Abba, AbubakarUmar, Suleiman Nasir, Uzaifa Saffiyanu, Abdulrasheed Abdullahi, UsmanAbubakar, Adamu Ahmadu, Abdullahi Musa and Abubakar Kule.
Aruwan also revealed that, the suspects and the items recovered were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the State Police Command for further investigation to establish the criminal profiles of the suspects for possible for various offences for prosecution.
He also warned vandals to desist from these dangerous acts, as the state government will prosecute anyone found vandalizing or stealing public property.
The Federal government says it is facilitating the procurement of additional 40 large-scale rice mills to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production by 2018.
Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop themed "Big Boost for Agro Diversification and Export.''
Ogbeh said that the Integrated Rice Mills (IRMs) of the Ministry had increased the rice milling capacity in the country.
He said that the Ministry's new goal was to attain self-sufficiency in food production and annually export 10 million metric tonnes of food to ECOWAS region and beyond by 2019.
According to the minister, the country's food import bill has further declined from N1.1 trillion in 2009 to N684 billion in 2013.
"Nigeria has huge agricultural potentials with 11 million hectares of arable land but only cultivates 40 per cent; 263 billion cubic metres of water with two of the largest rivers in Africa.
"We have a cheap labour force to support agriculture intensification. We grow our food, feed ourselves and create local and international markets for our farmers and also unlock our enormous potentials in agriculture.
"We can achieve the economic diversification goal of government and surmount the present economic recession.
"I hope with the help of the Pentair, Good Rain, Dayu irrigation, Zhong Zhou Poultry, Jinan and our local companies, we will diversify and get out of recession in no time,'' Ogbeh said.
Don Ekesiobi, Managing Director, Eurobase Nigeria Limited, the workshop organiser, said his company and the Ministry of Agriculture brought to Nigeria six world leading agro companies for partnership.
Ekesiobi said that the companies would introduce and showcase for adoption, technologies to turn around neglected agro value chain of the country in six months.
"I hereby state that any state, local government, commercial and private agro company that adopts and partner with these corporations will be on their way out of recession within a short time.
"Nigeria's arable land has capacity to generate 100 billion dollar annually, if we take agro chain value seriously this time.
"If Chile and other countries can survive on agriculture with huge favour, Nigeria can do the same if it adopts and apply the right technology,'' he said.
He urged states, local governments and stakeholders to identify crops that are adaptable to their terrain.
Ekesiobo added that the partnership would boost and achieve sustainable economic growth and job creation in the country.
